Marriage equality raises prospect of NY adoption boom

Adoption agencies in New York state are getting ready for an increase of interest as same-sex couples encouraged by the state’s marriage equality law take the next step and adopt children.

The state already permits unmarried couples, both gay and straight, to adopt children. But a wedding ring is an important milestone in a relationship. “It’s sort of the next natural progression,” said Jonathan Truong of Brooklyn, who decided to adopt a boy after marrying his longtime partner, Ed Cowen, in Canada. “You have that feeling of wanting to be in a family.”

Nationwide, about 19,000 gay couples had adopted children as of 2009 – up from 10,700 couples in 2000. The new marriage statute will make the second-parent adoption unnecessary under New York law. But most adoption lawyers are recommending that parents do it anyway to protect themselves if they travel or move to a state that doesn’t recognize gay marriage.

“The state where you’re vacationing may not see things the same way,” said Nina Rumbold, an adoption lawyer.

[via Associated Press]